Ferrari Reveals Faster California Convertible

Exotic sports car maker Ferrari SpA said it will debut the new, lighter version of its California convertible at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The new car promises to deliver sharper performance because it weighs about 66 pounds less than the current model but has 30 more horsepower.

The car’s V8 engine now generates 490 horsepower mainly due to new exhaust manifolds and revised “mapping” of its electronics. The car maker said new aluminum-fabrication methods used to build the California’s chassis account for most of the weight reduction.

The changes in weight and power have cut the car’s zero-to-62 mph (0-100 kilometers per hour) acceleration time to 3.8 seconds. The California, which currently starts at $192,000, will be available with an optional suspension setup called the Handling Speciale package. It includes computer-controlled shock dampers that react faster than before to keep the car’s body from rolling in turns while maintaining a comfortable ride.

The company said availability of the new California, which is in production now, will vary by market, with the first deliveries scheduled for Europe.